Serious fetal intracranial haemorrhage associated with the vacuum extraction.
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Birth Injuries↗
Biomedical subjects
M Ahmed
Publications and source records attributed to M Ahmed.
Causes and outcome of young infant admissions to a Kenyan district hospital.
AIMS: To provide a comprehensive description of young infant admissions to a first referral level health facility in Kenya. These data, currently lacking, are important given present efforts to standardise their care through the integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) and for prioritising both health care provision and disease prevention strategies. METHODS: Prospective, 18 month observational study in a Kenyan district hospital of all admissions less than 3 months of age to the paediatric ward. RESULTS: A total of 1080 infants were studied. Mortality was 18% overall, though in those aged 0-7 days it was 34%. Within two months of discharge a further 5% of infants aged <60 days on admission had died. Severe infection and prematurity together accounted for 57% of inpatient deaths in those aged <60 days, while jaundice and tetanus accounted for another 27%. S pneumoniae, group B streptococcus, E coli, and Klebsiella spp. were the most common causes of invasive bacterial disease. Hypoxaemia, hypoglycaemia, and an inability to feed were each present in more than 20% of infants aged 0-7 days. Both hypoxaemia and the inability to feed were associated with inpatient death (OR 3.8 (95% CI 2.5 to 5.8) and 7.4 (95% CI 4.8 to 11.2) respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Young infants contribute substantially to paediatric inpatient mortality at the first referral level, highlighting the need both for basic supportive care facilities and improved disease prevention strategies.
Bacterial Infections↗
Hysterectomy and women's health.
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Female↗
Effect of hypothyroidism and thyroxin replacement on growth of long bones in prenatally treated albino rats.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of induced hypothyroidism and thyroxin replacement on bone growth. DESIGN: An animal study carried out on experimental Albino rats. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, from June 1999 to May 2002. METHOD: Pregnant female Albino rats obtained from the animal house of Basic Medical Sciences Institute, JPMC, Karachi were treated with carbimazole and carbimazole plus thyroxin from 10th day of gestation till parturition. Another group of pregnant rats did not receive any treatment and acted as controls. Pups born to the treated as well as control animals were sacrificed on 10th postnatal day and fixed in formal saline. They were then processed through 95% ethanol and acetone, bulk stained with alizarin red and cleared in 4% KOH to reveal their bony and cartilaginous elements. The ulna and tibia of both sides were disarticulated from the treated and control animals and measured for intact bone length and diameter. The measurements of the three groups were then compared statistically. RESULTS: The retardation in length observed at the end of experimental period in ulna was by 13.67% and in tibia by 27.84% in carbimazole treated group while in carbimazole plus thyroxin treated group the reduction in length of ulna was 5.08% and of tibia 3.91% when compared with their age matched controls. CONCLUSION: Prenatal hypothyroidism has an adverse effect on bone growth and results in reduction of long bone length.
Animals↗
Seasonal variation in bacterial pathogens isolated from stool samples in Karachi, Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the seasonal variation of the commonly isolated bacterial pathogens in stool samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was undertaken of all the stool samples submitted from within Karachi to the Aga Khan University Hospital Laboratory over a period of five years (January 1997- December 2001) in order to determine the commonly isolated bacterial pathogens and to predict their seasonal variation. RESULTS: A total of 16379 stool samples were included in this review. Bacterial isolates were found in 6670 stool samples (culture detection rate=40.7%). The mean age at the time of culture of each sub-group was < or = 1 year group (6.58 +/- 3.1 months), 1-5 years (2.13 +/- 0.94 years), 5-14 years (8.3 +/- 2.6 yrs) and adults (43.2 +/- 18.5 years). Male: Female ratio was 1.2:1. Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa (32.8%), Campylobacter jejuni (17.3%), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (9.9%), Salmonella paratyphi b (6.6%) and Shigella flexneri (6.2%) were the most common organisms isolated. These organisms show a distinct seasonal variation with summer predilection. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the previous studies from South Asia, which have identified E. coil, followed by Vibrio cholerae as the most common enteric isolates, we found Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa followed by Campylobacter jejuni as the most common enteric pathogens isolated in an urban setting. It is important to consider seasonal variation when empirically treating diarrheal diseases in our region.
Adolescent↗
Comparison of ketorolac with morphine for intra-operative analgesia in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE: To compare ketorolac 0.35 mg x kg(-1) with morphine 0.1 mg x kg(-1) for hemodynamic stability, efficacy of analgesia and incidence of side effects in patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: Fifty ASA I and II patients, were enrolled in a prospective, randomized and double blind study. They were divided in two equal groups. Group K received Inj. Ketorolac 0.35 mg x kg(-1) while group M received Inj. Morphine 0.1 mg x kg(-1) 5 minutes before induction of anaesthesia. Hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy, endotracheal intubation, and surgical incision were noted. RESULTS: Data was entered and analysis was done using SPSS version 10.0. Student-t test and comparison of proportions were done where required. ANOVA was done and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was a significant rise in heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure in ketorolac group (K) as compared to baseline values at points of endotracheal intubation and surgical incision. Patients in Morphine group (M) showed a significant increase in heart rate only. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for supplemental analgesia requirement intraoperatively and postoperatively. Complications seen with group K were increased surgical wound bleeding in 2 patients (8%), nausea and vomiting in 4 patients (16%) while in group M there was nausea and vomiting in 5 patients (20%), and respiratory depression in 1 patient (4%). CONCLUSION: Although hemodynamic stability at points of painful stimulation was lower in patients given ketorolac as compared to morphine, Ketorolac has a place in the intraoperative pain relief in Pakistan and other developing countries where availability of powerful narcotics is erratic.
Adult↗
Septic arthritis of the hip in children--Aga Khan University Hospital experience in Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE: To present clinical, radiological and bacteriological features and short term outcome of septic arthritis of the hip in children. METHODS: There were 23 male and 16 female children, including 6 neonates and 10 infants with a mean age of 3.9 years. Diagnosis of septic hip was made on clinical grounds, supplemented by X-rays, leukocyte count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Thirty nine patients with 40 hips were followed for a mean time period of 76 weeks. All patients had a positive joint aspirate (pus) and underwent surgical decompression along with intravenous antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Symptoms of pain, fever and restricted range of hip motion were common to all patients. The mean leukocyte count was 14,000 and the mean ESR was 63 mm. Cultures of blood and joint aspirate were positive in 9 and 28 patients respectively. Staphylococus Aureus was the commonest organism (14 patients) identified, and only one patient had Hemophilus influenzae. Seven patients had a mixed osteoarticular infection. Positive clinical response was noted in the mean time period of 8.6 days. In follow-up, four cases developed myositis ossificans and 2 cases showed signs of partial growth plate destruction. CONCLUSION: Our findings of the absence of H. influenzae and the presence of a number of gut organisms are different from the previous studies. Duration of symptoms was an important prognostic factor and correlated well with the final outcome. Early surgical decompression was found to be the treatment of choice. A combined osteoarticular infection should be kept in mind in cases which show a poor response after the initial joint debridement.
Arthritis, Infectious↗
Effect of methotrexate and folinic acid on skeletal growth in mice.
AIM: To investigate whether chronic administration of medium doses of methotrexate (MTX) causes suppression of skeletal growth in young mice and to determine whether folinic acid supplementation could reverse this effect. METHODS: Four equal groups of Balb/c young male mice (6 animals in each group; mean body weight 11.9 +/- 0.25 g, in their rapid growth phase) were subjected to the following drug treatment for a period of 3 wk. Group 1 was given intraperitoneal MTX (3.5 mg kg(-1) body weight) every second day. Group 2 received folinic acid (7.0 mg kg(-1) body weight) intraperitoneally every second day. Group 3 was given both drugs (MTX every second day and folinic acid 8 h post-MTX injection). Group 4 was injected with physiological saline every other day to serve as a control group. Total body weight of the animals in each group was monitored every second day for the entire study period. The animals were sacrificed, the bilateral femurs and tibias of each animal were harvested and X-rays of the bones were taken. The length of each femur and tibia was measured using a micrometer. Measurements from the radiographs were also recorded using image analysis software. The MTX concentrations in the plasma and the folate levels in erythrocytes were determined. The heights of the distal femoral and the proximal tibial growth plate for each animal were measured on histological tissue sections. RESULTS: Mean lengths of both the tibia and femur of animals were compared in the four treatment groups. A significant decrease in the mean lengths (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.005) was observed in the group receiving MTX alone. Similarly, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the height of the femoral and tibial growth plate in this group when compared with the other groups. The main effect of MTX seemed to be on the hypertrophic proliferative zone of chondrocytes in the growth plate. Furthermore, animals in this MTX-treated group also showed increased levels of MTX in plasma and low levels of erythrocyte folate. CONCLUSION: These data show that chronic administration of MTX induces suppression of skeletal growth in mice, possibly through the inhibition of the pathway of de novo DNA synthesis. Folinic acid treatment following MTX administration appears to reverse this growth inhibition. Based on these observations, children suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteosarcoma or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and receiving MTX over long periods of time could be at risk of short-term suppression of skeletal growth. If this is the case, it is possible that they could benefit from dietary supplementation with folinic acid.
Animals↗
Internal olefins to linear amines.
The selective synthesis of linear amines from internal olefins or olefin mixtures was achieved through a catalytic one-pot reaction consisting of an initial olefin isomerization followed by hydroformylation and reductive amination. Key to the success is the use of specially designed phosphine ligands in the presence of rhodium catalysts. This reaction constitutes an economically attractive and environmentally favorable synthesis of linear aliphatic amines.
Journal Article↗
Cervical thymic cysts.
Thymic cysts are considered uncommon lesions in the differential diagnosis of pediatric neck masses. They usually present in the 1st decade after the age of 2 years, possibly because the thymus attains its greatest development before puberty. They may be found anywhere along the normal descent route of the thymus gland from the mandible to the sternal notch; 50% extend into the mediastinum. Most patients are asymptomatic, although respiratory complications may occur. A review of the operative records in our hospital over the last 10 years revealed two cases of cervical thymic cysts (CTC) in a 5- and a 9-year-old boy. Both children presented with an atraumatic, painless, enlarging mass in the left side of the neck anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Neither boy had respiratory problems or swallowing difficulties. Ultrasound and computed tomography showed a lesion consistent with a tentative diagnosis of a branchial cyst in one boy and an extensive cystic hygroma in the other. Both lesions were approached through a transverse cervical incision and, although closely adherent to the internal jugular vein, carotid artery, and vagus nerve, were resected completely. There were no postoperative complications and so far there has been no recurrence. CTCs are uncommon benign lesions that should be considered in the evaluation of neck masses in children. Preoperative diagnosis is unusual and, at this time, there is no preoperative radiologic test that can accurately identify a neck mass as a CTC. Histologic investigation of the excised specimen showing thymic tissue remnants with pathognomonic Hassall's corpuscles and cholesterol clefts in the cyst wall is the only definitive diagnosis. Evolution is benign. Intact, complete surgical excision remains the treatment of choice.
Child↗
Identification and characterization of a novel murine multigene family containing a PHD-finger-like motif.
The genes Phf5a and Phf5b-ps are the first two members of a novel murine multigene family that is highly conserved during evolution and belongs to the superfamily of PHD-finger genes. The Phf5 gene family contains an active locus on mouse chromosome 15, region E and several processed pseudogenes on different chromosomes. The active locus, Phf5a, is expressed ubiquitously in pre- and postnatal murine tissues and encodes a protein of 110 amino acids. The protein is localized in the nucleus in a non-homogenous pattern as the nucleolar subcompartment is almost free of Phf5a. The molecular and biological functions of Phf5a are unknown up-to-date, but the systematic deletion of its yeast homolog is lethal, pointing out that the protein is required for cell viability. Interpretation of our data and review of the literature suggest both basic and essential cellular functions of the Phf5a protein, possibly acting as a chromatin-associated protein.
3T3 Cells↗
Impact of cervical lymph node dissection on serum TG and the course of disease in TG-positive, radioactive iodine whole body scan-negative recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid cancer.
In the management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), surgery is indicated for locoregional recurrent/persistent disease. In this study, we examined the effect of such surgery on serum TG and the course of the disease in 21 patients with PTC (mean age 38.5 yr), who after the initial surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation developed high TG (>10 ng/ml) and negative 123I whole body scan (DxWBS). All patients had neck persistent/recurrent PTC that was confirmed by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Prior to neck re-exploration, radiological studies (chest X-rays, CT scan of the chest, and fluoro-18-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography [FDG-PET]) showed no evidence of distant metastases. TG autoantibodies were negative in 19 patients. Second surgery consisted of unilateral (13 patients) or bilateral (8 patients) modified neck dissection. The mean+/-SE TG prior to neck re-exploration was 184.8+/-79.0 ng/ml and declined after surgery to 127.5+/-59.0 ng/ml (p=0.25). The corresponding TSH values were 150.6+/-23.0 and 143.4+/-20.0 mU/l, respectively (p=0.34). After a mean follow-up of 20.7+/-3 months, TG increased to 168+/-68.0 ng/ml. This increase, however, was NS (p=0.67). The corresponding TSH values were 143.4+/-20.0 and 132.0+/-22.0 mU/l (p=0.27). Following second surgery, only 4 patients achieved remission, the other 17 patients received one or more of the following therapies; RAI (10 patients), third surgery (5 patients), and/or external radiation (7 patients). Thirteen patients continued to have persistent disease and 4 patients showed progressive course of their disease (distant metastases or grossly palpable neck disease). In conclusion, second surgery for recurrent/persistent PTC leads to remission in only a minority of cases but the course of the disease tends to be stable in most cases.
Adult↗
Antinociceptive activity of Polygonum hydropiper.
The hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts of Polygonum hydropiper whole plant administered to mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, showed a significant activity on acetic acid-induced writhing. Within the tested extracts, the ethylacetate one showed the most significant activity.
Analgesics↗
Registry based trauma outcome: perspective of a developing country.
OBJECTIVE: To report trauma outcome from a developing country based on the Trauma and Injury Severity Scoring (TRISS) method and compare the outcome with the registry data from Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS). DESIGN: Registry based audit of all trauma patients over two years. SETTING: Emergency room of a teaching university hospital. SUBJECTS: 279 injured patients meeting trauma team activation criteria including all deaths in the emergency room. OUTCOME MEASURES: TRISS methodology to compare expected and observed outcome. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: W, M, and Z statistics and comparison with MTOS data. RESULTS: 279 patients meeting the trauma triage criteria presented to the emergency room, 235 (84.2%) were men and 44 (15.8%) women. Blunt injury accounted for 204 (73.1%) and penetrating for 75 (26.9%) patients. Seventy two patients had injury severity score of more than 15. Only 18 (6.4%) patients were transported in an ambulance. A total of 142 (50.9%) patients were transferred from other hospitals with a mean prehospital delay of 7.1 hours. M statistic of our study subset was 0.97, indicating a good match between our patients and MTOS cohort. There were 18 deaths with only one unexpected survivor. The expected number of deaths based on MTOS dataset should have been 12. CONCLUSIONS: Present injury severity instruments using MTOS coefficients do not accurately correlate with observed survival rates in a developing country.
Adolescent↗
Analgesic principle from the bark of Careya arborea.
Bioactivity guided isolation of the bark of Careya arborea afforded piperine--an alkaloid chemically known as 1-[5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-oxo-2,4-pentadienyl]piperidine, which was found to possess significant central and peripheral analgesic activity. At oral doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight, piperine exhibited 41 (p < 0.01), 45 (p < 0.01) and 53% (p < 0.001) inhibition of acetic acid induced writhing in mice respectively. At doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight, the compound also showed 31.8 (p < 0.05) and 52.4% (p < 0.01) prolongation of tail flicking time of mice 30 min after the treatments determined by the radiant heat method.
Acetic Acid↗
Clinical profile of acute flaccid paralysis.
This study was done to determine the clinical course, cause and outcome of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in children. All AFP cases (< 15 years) in the children's ward of Khulna Medical College Hospital (Bangladesh) were recorded, investigated and followed up to sixty days as a part of passive surveillance. Main outcome variables were vulnerable age group, vaccine status, predominant limb involvement, clinical variants, virus isolation and residual paralysis. Thirty-four children with AFP were admitted in hospital in the last three years with the highest number (14) in 1998. The majority of children belonged to the age group 5-9 years with a male female ratio of 1.3:1. Nearly one third of the cases were either partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all. The lower limbs bore the brunt of paralysis excepting a few (14.7%). Clinically, Guillain Barre Syndrome was the commonest (47.1%) followed by encephalomyelitis. No poliovirus was isolated from these cases. Residual paralysis was observed in four out of ten cases who returned for follow up. AFP will continue to occur even after eradication of poliomyelitis and Guillain Barre Syndrome is the most important clinical entity for this.
Acute Disease↗
Neurotrauma in Pakistan.
The incidence of head and spinal injury is on the rise in developing countries. The number of deaths and burden of disability may be reduced, if not completely stopped, through preventive measures after an epidemiological survey on trauma. The goal can be achieved to a significant extent through the use of guidelines from the countries that have achieved a reduction in the incidence of neurotrauma. To determine the incidence and outcome of neurotrauma in developing countries, a study was necessary using standardized assessment parameters for global interpretation. Such a study was conducted to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, morbidity, and mortality of patients with head and spinal injury admitted to various neurosurgical centers in Pakistan from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999. A total of 260,000 patients were admitted with head injury over a 4-year period. The majority of patients presented during second decade (i.e., 33.2%) followed by first and third decade. There were 195,000 (75%) males, and 65,000 (25%) females with a ratio of 3:1. Road traffic accident was the commonest cause of head trauma. Mild, moderate, and severe head injury was observed in 135,200 (52%), 78,000 (30%), and 46,800 (18%) patients, respectively. Conservative management was carried out in 176,800 (68%) patients. Surgery was required in 83,200 (32%), 50% of which had depressed skull fracture, simple or compound. Follow-up period varied from 2 months to 2 years with a mean of 11 months. Patient's outcome was assessed according to Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Good outcome was observed in 174,200 (67%). The total mortality was 46,800 (18%). In this study, 2654 patients ranging in age from 5 to 70 years had spinal injuries. There were 1922 males (72%) and 732 (28%) females. British Medical Research Council Scale was used for assessment of motor power of patients with spinal trauma. Of these, 780 patients (29%) had complete spinal cord injury. Surgical intervention was performed in 1800 patients (68%) and the rest were managed conservatively.
Adolescent↗
The beta-globin genotype E121Q/W15X (cd121GAA-->CAA/cd15TGG-->TGA) underlines Hb d/beta-(0) thalassaemia marked by domination of haemoglobin D.
Among 13,525 haemoglobin analyses performed in our laboratory we detected 21 cases of haemoglobin D (Hb D) disease. Investigation of a family affected with this abnormal haemoglobin revealed two cases of Hb D/beta-(0) thalassaemia for the first time among Saudi Arabs. The two patients were diagnosed as having chronic haemolytic anaemia of moderate severity on the basis of the haemoglobin level, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, reticulocyte count, red blood cell count microscopy, elevated serum conjugated and non-conjugated bilirubin, increased serum lactic dehydrogenase, and the occasional need for blood transfusions. Genetic analysis enabled the detection of compound heterozygosity for the missense E121Q (codon 121 GAA-->CAA) and stop W15X (codon 15 TGG-->TGA) mutations as causative of the clinical phenotype of Hb D-LosAngeles (Punjab)/beta-(0) thalassaemia. The disease manifested as domination of Hb D and moderate haemolytic anaemia. The co-inheritance of beta-(0) thalassaemia seems to be responsible for conferring the deleterious effect on the presentation of Hb D disease in these patients. The present result emphasizes the significance of molecular testing in resolving certain diagnostic ambiguities in haematology as in cases of heterozygous Hb D in association with beta-(0) thalassaemia which, by haemoglobin electrophoresis, may be misdiagnosed as Hb D homozygosity.
Adolescent↗